New to this site: CCCS?

michelefauk

Hi all
Have been reading lots of this site recently, as my partner and I have a fair bit of debt. Through not fault of his own, he has been made redundant 3 times in the last 4 years and been out of work for several long periods of time during this. I work part time, had 6 months off last year on maternity leave and am now back to work 16 hours a week. DP has approx 18k in credit card debt, all in his name and we have a mortgage and unsecured loan too. As we are getting bombarded with calls constantly from his credit card people asking for money, we are extremely stressed and decided to phone CCCS as seen lots about them and Payplan on this site and others.

I have just phoned CCCS now, was told that I need an hour long telephone interview which they are unable to do until 21st September at the earliest and have no times available after 5 pm. As I work in a school, there is no way I can take an hour long call during the day, and DP is temping so he is in a similar postition. I asked the chap from CCCS what I should do in the meantime and he just said to field off the chasing for money calls as best I could and fill in a pack which he is going to send me so I am ready for their call in a month's time! I must admit to feeling very anxious and disapppointed, I thought that they were actually going to give me some advice as to action we can take now to help sort things out.
Our income st the moment just about covers basic food, mortgage, secured loan, council tax and utilities which leaves about £11 left towards creditors.

I have no idea what to do now, is it worth trying Payplan, are they any better?We did have a chap out a few days ago froma company who said they were like Payplan , but after an hour and a half of hard sell, admitted they charge admin fees etc of £600 plus, so I very quickly showed him the door!

CLAPTON

i'm sure there would be no harm in trying payplan, they may have a shorter wait for the interview.

without seeing an SoA i'ld be a bit reluctant to offer any advice.

jeanette251978

Hi,

im new to this site too, posted first message 2 days ago.

i had my meeting on the 26th july and had to wait a month for the appointment. as i had creditors on my back they gave me a reference number to quote them and i was advised to call each creditor and explain my situation and that i am having a meeting with the cccs and until id had my meeting i am only able to pay token payments of £1 which at that point they were all fine with. my debts are all unsecured like credit cards loans etc so im not sure if it would be different if it was priority bills that are in arrears.

its a hard time, and a long wait, especially when your unsure of the outcome, i went through a real rollercoaster ride of emotions. i have to say though that they were great for me and i felt so releaved once id had my meeting with them.

if your unsure id give them a call back and ask them what to do in the meantime.

Jeanette

michelefauk

Hi again

Just sat down and worked everything out that is coming in and going out each month. Gulp, it is scary stuff! Right here goes:

Coming in: DPs wage £1352 (temping and only been there 2 weeks, but that should be the monthly amount)
My salary £230
Tax Credits £480
Family allowance £163

Total £2225

DPs debts
Mortgage £795
Sec Loan £309
Council Tax £145
Abbey Credit Card £180
Mint CC £120
Barclaycard £60
Capital One CC £50
First Direct OD £34

My debts
Old council Tax bill (being paid through Chandlers Bailiffs) £100
Sky £42
Phone £25
TV Licence £25
Water £36
Gas/elec £100
First Direct OD £40
Halifax CC £20
Insurance £40
Childcare £130
Petrol/car tax £160
Food £250

Total £2487

As you can see, someting isnt working! the food is high, but there are 5 of us including 2 adults, a 14 yr old, 12 yr old and 1 yr old.

Any help or suggestions would be very welcome, as I am going round in circles trying to make ends meet.

thanks

chelly63

My OH has just started with the CCCS and he got onto them via National Debtline, he gave debtline written permission to go onto a DMP and they contacted CCCS and it was handed over within a week so no waiting a month for an appointment, maybe its quicker if you go via debtline?

Emmzi

First cut on soa

- you can't afford SKY
- why is tv licence £25 not £11?
- can you get childcare vouchers through either employer? (tax break)
- when was the last time you changed gas/electricity supplier and insurers?

I would also try national debtline, payplan or citizen's advice. Also national debtline website has some good forms and templates for DIY debt management plans.. maybe you would feel better taking this action yourself now? They have a database of standard letters to use.

michelefauk

thanks for the reply

I know we cant afford Sky, going to ring them tomorrow and ask to reduce to the basic package, we need to keep some kind of cable/satellite as we dont have an aerial at this house. Not sure if we can reduce as we only took Sky out in October last year, but going to try

no idea why the TV licence is £25, again will give them a ring in the morning

Dont get childcare vouchers, my little girl is looked after by my best friend, who isnt actually a regd childminder. As I only work term time, most childminders charge for the holidays too whereas my friend only charges for when she looks after her IYSWIM

Insurance, just renewed both life and car and shopped around

tyllwyd

The mortgage is sky high compared to your income. Is that something you could look at?

michelefauk

we have a £130,000 mortgage on a house we paid £200,000 for, we took it out 2 years ago when I was working full time and my partner was earning £25000

michelefauk

HAve phoned Payplan and they were more helpful. The lady told me they will sned out a pack for me to look at. She also said that as DP is only temping, to not take his salary into account, therefore only offer the crdit card people £1 each per month until we have a definate income, I also had a look at the National Debtline template letters and we are going to run some off this evening to all DPs credit cards offering £1 per month and enclosing our budget.
Does this sound ok?

Thanks again
michele